Veteran lawmaker Bob Bryant dies

Bryant, first elected in 2004, passed away at a Savannah hospital. No cause of death was immediately available, although he was hospitalized after a recent fall.

Bryant served on the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, was a retired city of Savannah employee and served 10 years in the Army, including two years in Vietnam.

“I join with my colleagues in the Georgia House of Representatives this morning in mourning the passing of our colleague and friend, Representative Bob Bryant,” House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, said in a statement. “Our hearts are hurting today because we have lost one of our best. Bob Bryant was a man of principle and integrity. He had the courage of his convictions and he never allowed anything to get in the way of doing the right thing. We will miss his kind and gentle spirit and the gift of his friendship.”